Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDBwU1wdD00" target="_blank">YouTube/Chris Johnson</a><br></p><p> <br> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDBwU1wdD00" target="_blank">YouTube/Chris Johnson</a><br></p><p> <br> </p>

Summer. The season of picnics, vacations and daylight that stretches long into each beautiful evening ... and also dogs everywhere, for some weird reason, munching up all the lush grass beneath our feet.

But why do our furry family members have this odd taste for lawns in the first place? Why do dogs eat grass?

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Even to the experts, it's a mystery why dogs eat grass, though theories do abound. "No one quite knows why dogs choose to ingest lawn grass," Dr. Tina Wismer, medical director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, told The Dodo.

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"While some experts theorize that dogs eat lawn grass to help resolve gastrointestinal issues, others believe that dogs imbibe because they are satisfying a need for green leafy roughage," Wismer said. "Still others think that some dogs nibble on lawn grass because, well, they'll nibble on anything!"

Whatever the reason, Wismer urged dog lovers to be careful: lawn grass - like any plant material - can potentially cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, she said, and vomiting and/or diarrhea may occur after your pup eats up a lawn. This is especially true when lawns have been treated with pesticides and potentially toxic chemicals, which can be dangerous for your dog.

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The good news? "Lawn grass that has not been treated with pesticides or other potentially harmful agents is not considered to be toxic," Wismer said, "and systemic or serious clinical effects would not be expected should your dog decide to sample your lawn."

If your dog gravitates toward eating grass sprayed with chemicals, you can train him not to by using treats to steer him away from the bad lawns.

Either way - deterring treats or lawn au naturale - your lucky pup will totally win this summer.

If you're ready to add a loving and furry lawn mower to your home, check out Adopt-a-Pet.com.

Have questions you want answered? Put them in the comments below!